Prime Minister meets WHO leader in Hanoi

Director-General of the WHO Margaret Chan suggested that Vietnam should pay more attention to working together with WHO in preventive medicine to prevent diseases and accidents.
Prime Minister meets WHO leader in Hanoi ảnh 1Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) receives Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Margaret Chan (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Director-General of the WorldHealth Organisation (WHO) Margaret Chan suggested that Vietnam should pay moreattention to working together with WHO in preventive medicine to preventdiseases and accidents at her meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc inHanoi on April 10.  

She said that Vietnam should strengthen the trainingof general doctors, especially family doctors, to enhance the quality ofprimary health care and reduce health care cost and hospital overload.

The WHO leader said that Vietnam should form anindependent agency to evaluate the quality of medicines and new health caretechnology, while designing strict regulations on the granting of licences todoctors as well as making regular assessment to ensure the quality of theirprofessional operation.

Highlighting the significant role of the privatesector in health care, she recommended that Vietnam should issue stringent rulespertaining to management and governance, ensuring the quality and effectivenessof the sector.

Congratulating Vietnam on its inclusive socio-economicattainments, Magaret Chan praised the country’s close coordination with the WHOrepresentative office over the past years, especially in updating and applyingadvances in the world in the field.

She pledged that WHO will continue advising andsupporting Vietnam and expressed her belief that the country will continuemaking more achievements in the care for people’s health.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of the organisation’sefforts for a healthier world, as well as its cooperation with the healthsector of Vietnam.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government alwaysattaches great importance to the caring and protection of people’s health,while thanking Magaret Chan for effective recommendations and consultations onthe operation of Vietnam’s health sector.

As a developing country, Vietnam hopes for WHO’s continuoussupport in health technology and profession, especially in preventive medicine,contributing to modernizing and completing the Vietnam’s health care system, reducingthe ratio of disease infections and fatalities, and increasing people’s longevity.

PM Phuc said that Vietnam is working to develop itspharmaceutical sector to tap the country’s diverse and precious herbal plants.

The Vietnamese Government has also issued manyregulations to reduce the use of alcohol and cigarette in public places toprotect the public health.

Highly valuing Chan’s recommendation in developing a familydoctor system, the Government leader stated that Vietnam will also upgrade thecommunal health care system to better the quality of health care services for localsin rural areas.-VNA
VNA

See more

A healthcare worker administers a measles vaccine to a child at a vaccination site in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

WHO, UNICEF commend Vietnam’s progress in childhood immunisation

In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.

Youngsters donate blood at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Hanoi. (Photo courtesy of NIHBT)

Health sector calls on people to donate blood

During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.

Le Thanh Dung, Director of the Population Authority under the Ministry of Health, speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi celebrates World Population Day

The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.

Vietnam, Germany forge cardiovascular partnership

Vietnam, Germany forge cardiovascular partnership

Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.

Patients are treated in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the Vietnam National Institute of Marine Medicine. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – attractive destination for medical tourism

Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.

Telehealth platforms in use at Hanoi Medical University Hospital. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Vietnam looks to expand telehealth to improve access for remote communities

Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.

A doctor from the medical centre of Ward 16, Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh City is providing an online medical examination for a patient. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, RoK strengthen cooperation in telemedicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Viet Nhung, Dean of Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi, speaks online on Vietnam’s digital transformation strategy in medical education. (Photo: VNA)

Forum spotlights AI and digital innovation in healthcare

To achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045, Vietnam is prioritising the integration of AI and digital tools into the training of future doctors, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, Dean of Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi.